“The fear, panic and terror which explosions also bring are often a deliberate part of the terrorist’s ambition.”

He said both men had been to the Syrian-Turkish border and mixed with jihadists. While at a safe house there they had learned about weaponry and explosives.

Incedal has been in custody since he was stopped by police by Tower Bridge, London, in October 2013. Rarmoul-Bouhadjar has also done about 18 months on remand, according to BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani.